I had chosen not to post about the school shooting because it is just depressing and that is not the purpose of my blog.
We personally had several of our friends in attendance at Central High School during the shooting this past week. One of our very close friends was running late and her son was very very fortunate for missing it all together, or he could have very well witnessed everything and needed therapy for the rest of his life.
I changed my mind as the dialogue going on over at almostgotit and it has motivated me to invite you in for some discussion. The past several posts over there have been very thought provoking and are encouraging me to take more action to assist our schools.
Does anyone have any suggestions of what I can do personally? I am already a classroom volunteer, room parent, PTSO member and a parent of really good parents who mentors not only my own children, but their friends and many others at church and in the community?
I have done all of those things for a long time, but when we switched our kids from their last inner city school, I took it as a personal failure. LG and I had failed to make a difference there. We were more than happy to take our precious children elsewhere and they are thriving at a new school with a truly safe and positive climate.
Besides spreading true Christianity, what else can we do to stop our schools from being overrun by characterless children?
10 comments:
Just so you know, we actually read your blog quite frequently, although you could not tell based on our lack of commenting. My theory is that we as parents are so busy we don't have the time or energy to be consistent and the people that suffer the most is our children. They fail to learn the boundaries they crave.
I wish I had any advice for you. I think that you are doing great stuff now. You can not do everything for every parent. I am sorry about the shooting. This kind of this really does break my heart.
Sorry to hear that was so close to home and wish I had some great advice. Prayer and love...
You are amazing don't beat yourself up. Just pray and never lose faith, love, and care, and the rest heavenly father will do.
I think you are doing all you can do--you are so involved in so many things. You probably haven't a clue of the impact you are having. (You are not hiding your head in the sand, but you are trying so hard to make a difference)
I like devri's advice.
I struggle with this all the time Alice. You and LG do plenty -- you are much more involved than so many parents. But we all know there are many, many children out there who are lost -- no real role models, broken homes, no boundaries. How do we help those kids? I really don't know.
It's heartbreaking. I didn't know anyone personally at CHS last week, but it sure made me a basket case that day. I was very shaken up all morning, since the incident was so close to home.
From the looks of it you do way more than a lot of parents out there. Sometimes its easy to feel unsure wether or not you make a difference. I think any parent who will take the time to do what you are doing for sure makes a huge impact. I have always remembered the parent volunteers from when I was in school so I'm sure there are children you will affect, and that will make a difference even if it doesn't seem obvious right now. When I worked in an inner city daycare I witnessed a suicide and also a murder attempt right next door-the daycare was on lookdown for a long time because the guy was on the lose with a gun. I was more traumatized than the kids. It didnt seem to phase any of them. They all lived in that neighborhood so I guess that sort of thing was the norm. 2 year olds who knew what a gun is or what drugs look like and how to use them. The daycare was right accross the street from a crack house too and one little girl's mother would drop her child off and go accross the street to buy drugs and then wander around the neighborhood all strung out on who-knows-what. And to those kids it was normal. I know that is on the extreme side of things but it goes to show that a kids environment and upbringing makes a huge difference in how the child views the world as they get older, and definitely affects their actions and reactions to hard situations. My opinion is that if your presence makes a difference to even one child,that may save lives in the future because you never know what they have seen or been through.Even those from well-to-do families. So keep up what you are doing. And encourage other parents to take more time to do the same.
It is pretty sad when you have to explain to a 6yr old, why he had to hide in front of his backpack at school the other day!
It all starts at home, and even though most of us do care and know what our kids are doing, unfotunataly, some don't.
Why is it that WE are still the ones trying to solve this growing problem. Its because those other parents, the ones who have no clue what their kids are doing, and are too busy to care, also don't do anything to change it!
I'm sorry, but it urks me!
You do all you can. God is the one watching over our children, and us as parents, and he knows we can only do so much. You and LG are great parents and so involved!
Keep up the faith!
Unfortunately we can only provide the children with character and values... and hope they will have a positive influence on those who have none. Thank heavens that there are so many parents that care... and shame on those who don't.
Matthew 18:6
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
In my opinion all children are innocent until they are taught in action or word... and offending a child leaves the discussion wide open in my book.
ToOdLeS,ShEiLA
I read this a few day's ago. It left me really pondering the way children/teenagers are these day's. I am sure sorry to hear that this has happened so close to your home.
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